Herbs and spices in Arabic

Learn the names of herbs and spices in Arabic. Get to know how to say oregano and thyme in Arabic.

Middle Eastern cuisine is famous for its use of herbs and spices. Popular herbs and spices used in the Middle East are coriander, cumin, mint, nutmeg, turmeric, paprika, ginger, and cinnamon.

The Middle East has been a crossroads for trade for centuries. This is how the region has acquired a diverse range of dishes with influences from all over the world including Europe and Asia.

Today you are going to learn over 40 Arabic names of the most common herbs and spices, such as; oregano, thyme, cinnamon, and many more. Check Food in Arabic: Vocabulary and Quiz, where you can learn more Arabic vocabulary related to food and eating.

If you don’t know the Arabic alphabet yet check our post: Arabic alphabet – All you need to know to write in Arabic.

How to say herbs in Arabic?

The word herbs in Arabic is أَعْشاب [a3shaab], and the singular is عُشْب [a3ushb ].

The Arabic word for seasoning/ spice/ condiment is بَهار [bahaar]; seasonings بَهارات [bahaaraat]. You can also use the word تابِل [taabil], plural: تَوابِل [tawaabil].

Related vocabulary: plants names in Arabic, names of flowers in Arabic.

How to say nutmeg in Arabic?

Nutmeg in Arabic is جَوْز الطّيب [jawz aT-Tiib].

List of herbs and spices in Arabic

Below you can find a list of the Arabic names of the most common herbs and spices. The list includes simplified pronunciation of each word.

English	Arabic	Pronunciation
aniseed	يانَسون	yaanasuun
basil	ريحان	rayHaan
cardamon	هيل	hiil
chili pepper	فِلْفِل حارّ	filfil Haarr
coriander	كُزْبَرَة	kuzbara
cinnamon	قِرْفَة	qirfa
cloves	قَرَنْفُل	qaranful
cumin	كَمُّون	kammuun
curry	كارِي	kaariy
dill	شِبِثّ	shibithth
fennel	شَمْرَة	shamra
garlic Read: vegetables in Arabic	ثوم	thoom
ginger	زَنْجَبيل	zanjabiil
harissa	هَرِيسَة	hariisa
honey	عَسَل	3asal
leaves	أَوْراق	awraaq
marjoram	بَرْدَقُوش	bardaquush
mint	نَعْناع	na3naa3
mustard	خَرْدَل	khardal
nettle	قُرّاص	qurraaS
nutmeg	جَوْز الطّيب	jawz aT-Tiib
onion	بَصَل	baSal
oregano	أوريجانو	uuriijaanoo
rosemary	روزماري	roozmaariy
parsley	بَقْدونِس	baqdunis
paprika	فِلْفِل أَحْمَر	filfil aHmar
pepper	فِلْفِل	filfil (also fulful)
black pepper	فِلْفِل أسْوَد	filfil aswad
white pepper	فِلْفِل أَبْيَض	filfil abyaD
green pepper	فِلْفِل أَخْضَر	filfil akhDar
red pepper	فِلْفِل أَحْمَر	filfil aHmar
sage	ميرَمِيَّة	miiramiyya
saffron	زَعْفَرَان	za3faraan
salt	مِلْح	milH
sesame	سِمْسِم	simsim
sugar	سُكَّر	sukkar
sumac	سُمّاق	summaaq
tarragon	طَرْخون	Tarkhuun
thyme	زَعْتَر	za3tar
turmeric	كُرْكُم	kurkum
vanilla	فانِيلا	faaniilaa
wasabi	وَسابي	wasaabiy
vinegar	خَلّ	khall